• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.620-635
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• 2010

In this paper we describe current activities on the project Multi-Scale Modeling and Analysis of convective boiling (MSMA), conducted jointly by the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and the Swiss Nuclear Utilities (Swissnuclear). The long-term aim of the MSMA project is to formulate improved closure laws for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations for prediction of convective boiling and eventually of the Critical Heat Flux (CHF). As boiling is controlled by the competition of numerous phenomena at various length and time scales, a multi-scale approach is employed to tackle the problem at different scales. In the MSMA project, the scales on which we focus range from the CFD scale (macro-scale), bubble size scale (meso-scale), liquid micro-layer and triple interline scale (micro-scale), and molecular scale (nano-scale). The current focus of the project is on micro- and meso-scales modeling. The numerical framework comprises a highly efficient, parallel DNS solver, the PSI-BOIL code. The code has incorporated an Immersed Boundary Method (IBM) to tackle complex geometries. For simulation of meso-scales (bubbles), we use the Constrained Interpolation Profile method: Conservative Semi-Lagrangian $2^{nd}$ order (CIP-CSL2). The phase change is described either by applying conventional jump conditions at the interface, or by using the Phase Field (PF) approach. In this work, we present selected results for flows in complex geometry using the IBM, selected bubbly flow simulations using the CIP-CSL2 method and results for phase change using the PF approach. In the subsequent stage of the project, the importance of effects of nano-scale processes on the global boiling heat transfer will be evaluated. To validate the models, more experimental information will be needed in the future, so it is expected that the MSMA project will become the seed for a long-term, combined theoretical and experimental program.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.1747-1753
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• 2024

The accurate determination of formation density and the physical properties of rocks is the most critical logging tasks which can be obtained using gamma-ray transport and detection tools. Though the simulation works published so far have considerably improved the knowledge of the parameters that govern the responses of the detectors in these tools, recent studies have found considerable differences between the results of using a conventional model of a homogeneous mixture of formation and fluid and an inhomogeneous fractured medium. It has increased concerns about the importance of the complexity of the model used for the medium in simulation works. In the present study, we have suggested two various models for the flow of the fluid in porous media and fractured rock to be used for logging purposes. For a typical gamma-gamma logging tool containing a ¹³⁷Cs source and two NaI detectors, simulated by using the MCNPX code, a simplified porous (SP) model in which the formation is filled with elongated rectangular cubes loaded with either mineral material or oil was investigated. In this model, the oil directly reaches the top of the medium and the connection between the pores is not guaranteed. In the other model, the medium is a large 3-D matrix of 1 cm³ randomly filled cubes. The designed algorithm to fill the matrix sites is so that this realistic random (RR) model provides the continuum growth of oil flow in various disordered directions and, therefore, fulfills the concerns about modeling the rock textures consist of extremely complex pore structures. For an arbitrary set of oil concentrations and various formation materials, the response of the detectors in the logging tool has been considered as a criterion to assess the effect of modeling for the distribution of pores in the formation on simulation studies. The results show that defining a RR model for describing heterogeneities of a porous medium does not effectively improve the prediction of the responses of logging tools. Taking into account the computational cost of the particle transport in the complex geometries in the Monte Carlo method, the SP model can be satisfactory for gamma-gamma logging purposes.

• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 1996

A quadrilateral-triangular mixed grid method for the solution of incompressible viscous flow is presented. The solution domain near the body surface is meshed using elliptic grid geneator to acculately simulate the viscous flow. On the other hand, we used unstructured triangular grid system generated by advancing front technique of a simple automatic grid generation algorithm in the rest of the computational domain. The present method thus is capable of not only handling complex geometries but providing accurate solutions near body surface. The numerical technique adopted here is PISO type finite element method which was developed by the present author. Investigations have been made of two-dimensional unsteady flow of Re=550 past a circular cylinder. In the case of use of the unstructured grid only, there exists a considerable amount of difference with the existing results in drag coefficient and vorticity at the cylinder surface; this may be because of the lack of the grid clustering to the surface that is a inevitable requirement to resolve the viscous flow. However, numerical results on the mixed grid show good agreements with the earlier computations and experimental data.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.411-421
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• 2017

An approach based on a 2D lumped model is presented to quantify the voltage transfer gain (VTG) in power converter low power planes. The advantage of the modeling approach is the ease with which typical noise reduction devices such as decoupling capacitors or ferrite beads can be integrated into the model. This feature is enforced by a new modular approach based on effective matrix partitioning, which is presented in the paper. This partitioning is used to decouple power plane equations from external device impedance, which avoids the need for rewriting of a whole set of equation at every change. The model is quickly solved in the frequency domain, which is well suited for an automated layout optimization algorithm. Using frequency domain modeling also allows the integration of frequency-dependent devices such inductors and capacitors, which are required for realistic computation results. In order to check the precision of the modeling approach, VTGs for several layout configurations are computed and compared with experimental measurements based on scattering parameters.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.449-464
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• 2016

Catastrophe models appraise the natural risk of the built-infrastructure simulating the interaction of its exposure and vulnerability with a hazard. Because of unique configurations and reduced number, mid/high-rise buildings present singular challenges to the assessment of their damage vulnerability. This paper presents a novel approach to estimate the vulnerability of mid/high-rise buildings (MHB) which is used in the Florida Public Hurricane Loss Model, a catastrophe model developed for the state of Florida. The MHB vulnerability approach considers the wind pressure hazard exerted over the building's height as well as accompanying rain. The approach assesses separately the damages caused by wind, debris impact, and water intrusion on building models discretized into typical apartment units. Hurricane-induced water intrusion is predicted combining the estimates of impinging rain with breach and pre-existing building defect size estimates. Damage is aggregated apartment-by-apartment and story-by-story, and accounts for vertical water propagation. The approach enables the vulnerability modeling of regular and complex building geometries in the Florida exposure and elsewhere.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.1 no.1 s.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 1998

An interactive mode of grid generation system has been developed for a Navier-Stokes design procedure of axial flow compressors. The present grid generator adopts the multiblock H-grid structure, which simplifies the creation of computational grids about complex turbomachinery geometries and facilitate the manipulation of multiple grid blocks for multirow flow fields. The numerical algorithm adopts the combination of the algebraic and elliptic method to create the internal grids efficiently and quickly. The system consists of four separated modules, which are linked together with a common graphical user interface. The system input is made of the results of the preliminary design. The final grids generated from each module of the system are used as the preprocessor for the performance prediction of the two-or three-dimensional flow simulation inside the blade passage. Application to the blade design of the LP compressor was demonstrated to be very reliable and practical in support of design activities. This customized system are coupled strongly with the design procedure of the turbomachinery cascades using the Navier-Stokes technique.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.137-140
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• 2005

Resin transfer molding (RTM) is one of the most popular processes for producing fiber reinforced polymer composites. In the manufacture of complex thick composite structures, analysis on flow front advancement on the resin impregnating the multi-layered fiber preform is helpful for the optimization of the process. In this study, three-dimensional mold filling simulation of RTM is carried out by using CVFEM (Control Volume Finite Element Method). On the assumption of isothermal flow of Newtonian fluid, Darcy’s law and continuity equation are used as governing equations. Different permeability tensors employed in each layer are obtained by experiments. Numerically predicted flow front is compared with experimental one in order to validate the numerical results. Flow simulations are conducted in the two mold geometries, rectangular plate and hollow cylinder. Permeability tensor of each layer preform in Cartesian coordinate system is transformed to cylinder coordinates system so that the flow within the multi-layered preforms of the hollow cylinder can be calculated exactly. Our emphasis is on the three dimensional flow analysis for circular three-dimensional braided preform, which shows outstanding mechanical properties such as high impact strength and toughness compared with other conventional two-dimensional laminar-structured preforms.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 1997

Heat-transfer enhancement is seeked through modifications of fin surface. Real life plate-fin heat exchangers have complex three-dimensional geometries. Fins can have arrays of dimples and are attached to rows of penetrating tubes. To isolate the effect of surface modification, we model the real flow by a two-dimensional channel flow with a dimple on one side. The flow is analysed by solving the incompressible Navier-Stokes equation by a finite volume method on a generalized boundary-fitted coordinate. Results show a trapped vortex inside the dimple for all cases computed. Local maximum of Nusselt number occurs near the downstream end of the dimple, due to such a vortex. Location of the vortex does not change with respect to the wall temperature change, but moved downstream when Reynolds number increases. This, together with the results that in all cases vortex core is somewhat downstream of the dimple center, suggests that the mean flow above continuously feeds the kinetic energy to the recirculating flow. Heat transfer enhancement and pressure losses are studied through analysing the relevant dimensionless parameters like, Nusselt number and friction factor. In all cases computed, dimpled channel flow experiences less pressure loss than two-dimensional Poiseuille flow.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.484-490
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• 2012

This paper is devoted to investigate the feasibility of using a medium power ground-based laser to produce a torque on LEO satellites of various shapes. The laser intensity delivered to a satellite is calculated using a simple model of laser propagation in which a standard atmospheric condition and linear atmospheric interaction mechanism is assumed. The laser force is formulated using a geocentric equatorial system in which the Earth is an oblate spheroid. The torque is formulated for a cylindrical satellite, spherical satellites and for satellites of complex shape. The torque algorithm is implemented for some sun synchronous low Earth orbit cubesats. Based on satellites perigee height, the results demonstrate that laser torque affecting on a cubesat has a maximum value in the order of $10^{-9}$ which is comparable with that of solar radiation. However, it has a minimum value in the order of $10^{-10}$ which is comparable with that of gravity gradient. Moreover, the results clarify the dependency of the laser torque on the orbital eccentricity. As the orbit becomes more circular it will experience less torque. So, we can conclude that the ground based laser torque has a significant contribution on the low Earth orbit cubesats. It can be adjusted to obtain the required control torque and it can be used as an active attitude control system for cubesats.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.233-241
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• 2000

It is well known that the quality and efficiency of the design of metal forming processes can be significantly improved with the aid of effective numerical simulations. In the present study, a two-and three-dimensional finite element simulation system, CAMP form, was developed for the analysis of metal forming processes in the PC environment. It is composed of a solver based on the thermo-rigid-viscoplastic approach and graphic user interface (GUI) based pre-and post-processors to be used for the effective description of forming conditions and graphic display of simulation results, respectively. In particular, in the case of CAMPform 2D (two-dimensional), as the solver contains an automatic remeshing module which determines the deformation step when remeshing is required and reconstructs the new mesh system, it is possible to carry out simulations automatically without any user intervention. Also, the forming analysis considers ductile fracture of the workpiece and wear of dies for better usage of the system. In the case of CAMPform 3D, general three-dimensional problems that involve complex die geometries and require remeshing can be analyzed, but full automation of simulations has yet to be achieved. In this paper, the overall structure and computational background of CAMPform will be briefly explained and analysis results of several forming processes will be shown. From the current results, it is construed that CAMPform can be used in providing useful information to assist the design of forming processes.